Renewables to spur power generation in Africa, IEA says

Renewable energy will make up the majority of Africa's growing power needs by 2040, according to the International Energy Agency.

Bloomberg reports energy demand will increase 80 percent south of the Sahara Desert, and renewable energy and hydropower are expected to supply nearly half of that growth.

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The report notes that Africa will take a "major step forward" in supplying electricity to rural regions and helping bring citizens out of poverty.

“Many governments are now intensifying their efforts to tackle the numerous regulatory and political barriers that are holding back investment in domestic energy supply,” the report said, according to Bloomberg. “But inadequate energy infrastructure risks putting a brake on urgently needed improvements.”

While sub-Saharan Africa contains 13 percent of the world's population, only 290 million of the 915 million people living in the region are able to access electricity.